Edge cutting system for compactor

ABSTRACT

An edge cutter associated with a drum of a compactor is provided. The edge cutter includes a back plate, an actuator, a bracket and a cutting unit. The back plate is fixedly attached to a shaft of the drum. The actuator includes a first end coupled to the back plate. The actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft where the longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum. The bracket is coupled to a second end of the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis. The cutting unit has a rotating blade. The cutting unit is coupled to the bracket and is configured to move along with the bracket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an edge cutting system, and more specifically to the edge cutting system used on a compactor machine.

BACKGROUND

An edge cutter assembly may be associated with a compactor, such as, an asphalt compactor, in order to provide finished edges on a paved road. The edge cutter assembly is disposed at one end of a drum of the compactor.

The edge cutter assembly includes an arm, an actuator and a cutter. The arm is angularly positioned in relation to a surface on which the compactor operates and may be utilized for changing a distance of the cutter from the surface. The actuator is capable of movement, such that a distance of the cutter from the surface may vary based on an extension and retraction of the actuator. Hence, usage of the edge cutter may be based on the extension and the retraction of the actuator.

The angular positioning of the edge cutter assembly is such that the edge cutter may be used when the compactor is moving in a single direction, generally being a forward direction. However, when the compactor reverses, or moves in an opposite direction, the positioning of the edge cutter assembly is such that stress may be developed in the arm attached to the edge cutter assembly. This stress may lead to damage of components associated with the edge cutter assembly

Japanese Patent Application No. 2007138554 discloses a self-propelled roller and a construction method of a pavement body using the self-propelled roller. The '554 application discloses a groove forming device mounted to the side face of the self-propelled roller body. The groove forming device has a vertically moveable rotation body with protrusions disposed at the outer periphery, and when the rotation body is moved downwards, the protrusions bite into the pavement body. Accompanied by the movement of the self-propelled roller body, the rotation body also rotates, and the protrusions are sequentially pressed into the pavement body.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an edge cutter associated with a drum of a compactor is provided. The edge cutter includes a back plate, an actuator, a bracket and a cutting unit. The back plate is fixedly attached to a steering shaft of the drum. The actuator includes a first end coupled to the back plate. The actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. The longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum. The bracket is coupled to a second end of the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis. The cutting unit is coupled to the bracket and the cutting unit includes a rotating blade. The cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.

In another aspect, an edge cutter associated with a drum of a compactor is provided. The edge cutter includes a back plate, an actuator, a bracket, a restricting member and a cutting unit. The back plate is attached to a steering shaft of the drum. The actuator includes a first end coupled to the back plate. The actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. The longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum. The bracket coupled to a second end of the actuator includes a slot. The actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis. The restricting member is fixedly attached to the back plate. The restricting member is configured to be received within the slot of the bracket. The bracket is configured to move relative to the restricting member. The cutting unit includes a rotating blade and is coupled to the bracket. The cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.

In yet another aspect, a compactor is provided. The compactor includes an engine, a frame, a drum and an edge cutter. The drum is coupled to the frame of the compactor. The drum includes a steering shaft. The edge cutter is associated with the drum. The edge cutter includes a back plate, an actuator, a bracket and a cutting unit. The back plate is fixedly attached to the steering shaft of the drum. The actuator includes a first end coupled to the back plate. The actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. The longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum. The bracket is coupled to a second end of the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis. The cutting unit includes a rotating blade is coupled to the bracket. The cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary compactor machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 a perspective view of a drum of the machine having an edge cutter mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the edge cutter;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the edge cutter in an extended position; and

FIG. 5 is another front view of the edge cutter in a retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary compactor machine 100 is illustrated. More specifically, the machine 100 is a vibratory asphalt compactor. The machine 100 is configured to compact and finish an asphalt/bitumen mixture for paving a road surface. The machine 100 may also be configured to finish the edges of the paved road surface. It should be noted that the machine 100 may include any other industrial machine including, but not limited to, a large mining truck, an articulated truck and an off-highway truck. In another embodiment, the machine 100 may be one of various types of machinery used in a number of industries such as mining, agriculture, construction, forestry, waste management, and material handling, among others.

The machine 100 includes a chassis and/or a frame 102. An enclosure 104 is provided on the frame 102. The enclosure 104 houses a power source. The power source may be any internal combustion engine known in the art powered by a fuel including, but not limited to, gasoline, diesel, natural gas and/or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the power source may include power storage devices like batteries, an electric motor, and so on. The power source is configured to provide power to the machine 100 for mobility and/or other operational needs. The enclosure 104 may also house various other components required for operational control of the machine 100 including, but not limited to, electrical and/or electronic components, hydraulic and/or pneumatic components.

A cabin 106 for an operator may be provided on the frame 102 of the machine 100. The cabin 106 may be equipped with various control levers, such as a joystick, and switches for the operation and control of the machine 100. Further, ground engaging members such as a front drum 108 and a rear drum 110, hereinafter referred to as drums 108, 110, respectively, are provided on the machine 100 for the purpose of mobility. The drums 108, 110 are coupled to the frame 102 of the machine 100. In alternate embodiments, either the forward drum 108 or the rear drum 110 may be replaced by wheels. The drums 108, 110 are configured to compact the asphalt/bitumen mixture for paving the road surface. The drums 108, 110 are known in the paving art and typically contain vibratory mechanisms, although the present disclosure is also applicable to drums 108, 110 that do not contain vibratory mechanisms.

The drum 108 defines a cylindrical cavity 112 extending axially there through. The cylindrical cavity 112 houses a steering shaft 114 having a longitudinal axis X-X′. The steering shaft 114 is connected to the frame 102 by means of a steering bracket 116. The steering bracket 116 is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the machine 100. During the operation of the machine 100, the steering shaft 114 is configured to remain stationary while the drum 108 rotates about the longitudinal axis X-X′ of the steering shaft 114. Thus, the longitudinal axis X-X′ is the axis of rotation for the drum 108.

The present disclosure relates to an edge cutter 124 provided on the steering shaft 114. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the edge cutter 124 is located at a first side 118 of the steering shaft 114. In various embodiments, the edge cutter 124 may be mounted on both the first side 118 and a second side 120 of the steering shaft 114.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the drum 108 having the edge cutter 124 mounted on the steering shaft 114. A plurality of supporting members 202 may be attached to the edge cutter 124. Each of the supporting members 202 has an L-shaped configuration. In various embodiments, the supporting members 202 may have a solid block configuration, a C-shaped configuration, and so on. The supporting members 202 are fixedly attached to the steering shaft 114 either directly or through the steering bracket 116, by any means of fastening known in the art. Additionally, a rectangular block 302 (see FIG. 3) may be fastened to the supporting member 202 by means such as bolting, riveting, welding, and so on. The supporting members 202 and/or the rectangular block 302 may provide support for affixing the edge cutter 124 onto the machine 100.

Further, a back plate 204 is affixed to the steering shaft 114. The rectangular block 302 may provides a resting surface for the back plate 204. The supporting members 202 are configured to fixedly attach the back plate 204 to the steering shaft 114. Based on space constraints and design of the back plate 204, the back plate 204 may be positioned either in an inclined position (as shown in the accompanying figures) or in any other orientation in relation to the ground.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back plate 204 has a plurality of holes 304. Each of the plurality of holes 304 is configured to receive a restricting member 206 therein. The restricting member 206 is fixedly attached to the back plate 204 using any known method. A bush 306 may be placed around the restricting member 206. A washer 208 may be provided in the restricting member 206 in order to increase a contact area of the restricting member 206. A hole 308 may also be provided in the back plate 204 to receive a coolant unit 210 such as a spray, a nozzle, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 2, the edge cutter 124 further includes an actuator 212. The actuator 212 includes a first end 214 and a second end 216. The actuator 212 is pivotally coupled to an extended portion 218 of the back plate 204 at the first end 214 using a pin 220. Accordingly, the extended portion 218 of the back plate 204 includes a hole 310 (see FIG. 3) to receive the pin 220. The actuator 212 includes a cylinder 222 which is actuated hydraulically. Alternatively, the cylinder 222 may be pneumatically or electromechanically actuated. The actuator 212 may have a plurality of ports 224 as shown in FIG. 2. The ports 224 are connected to hoses 225 that may provide the hydraulic fluid for the functioning of the actuator 212. The second end 216 of the actuator 212 includes a hole 312 (see FIG. 3). The hole 312 is configured to receive a pin 226. The actuator 212 is configured to extend and retract along an actuating axis A-A perpendicular to the axis of rotation X-X′ of the drum 108. Movement of the edge cutter 124 will be explained in detail in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second end 216 of the actuator 212 is coupled to a bracket 228 through the pin 226. The bracket 228 may have a plate like configuration. The bracket 228 includes a first portion 230 and a second portion 232. The bracket 228 includes a hole 314 (see FIG. 3) in the first portion 230. Alternatively, the hole 314 may be provided in the second portion 232 of the bracket 228. The hole 314 is configured to receive the pin 226 for coupling the second end 216 of the actuator 212 to the bracket 228. The first portion 230 also includes a plurality of slots 234. The slot 234 is aligned along the actuating axis A-A′. The slot 234 is configured to receive the restricting member 206 therein. The bracket 228 is configured to move relative to the restricting members 206 based on the extension and retraction of the actuator 212.

The second portion 232 of the bracket 228 extends along the actuating axis A-A′ distal from the first portion 230. A cutting unit 236 is provided on the second portion 232 of the bracket 228. Referring to FIG. 3, the second portion 232 may have a semi-circular shape. Alternatively, the second portion 232 may have any other configuration such as a rectangular configuration, elliptical configuration and so on. A hole 316 is provided in the second portion 232 of the bracket 228. The hole 316 is configured to receive the cutting unit 236. A slot 318 extends from a periphery of the hole 316 towards a side surface 320 of the bracket 228. A plurality of projections 322 may extend from the side surface 320 of the bracket 228. A hole 324 is provided in the projections 322. The hole 324 is configured to receive a bolt 326 for tightening the cutting unit 236.

Referring to FIG. 3, a spacer member 328 is provided between the back plate 204 and the bracket 228. The spacer member 328 includes a plurality of slots 330 aligned with the plurality of slots 234 of the bracket 228. The slot 330 is configured to receive the restricting member 206. The spacer member 328 has a raised surface 332 provided at a first end 334 and a second end 336. The raised surface 332 of the spacer member 328 is configured to receive the bracket 228. Accordingly, the spacer member 328 is configured to move along with the bracket 228 relative to the back plate 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting unit 236 is detachably attached to the bracket 228. The cutting unit 236 is configured to move along with the bracket 228. The cutting unit 236 includes a cutting blade 238. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cutting blade 238 may be a rotating blade having varied cutting profiles. In other embodiments, the cutting blade 238 may have a knife like configuration or any other blade like component configured to cut and finish the paved road surface.

FIG. 4 depicts the edge cutter 124 in an extended position. The second end 216 of the actuator 212 coupled to the bracket 228 is configured to translate in the direction of the actuating axis A-A′ perpendicular to the axis of rotation X-X′ of the drum 108. The edge cutter 124 is configured to extend along the actuating axis A-A′ perpendicular to the axis of rotation X-X′ of the drum. The cutting unit 236 in the extended position adjacent to a peripheral edge 240 of the drum 108 is configured to cut and finish the edge of the paved road surface.

FIG. 5 depicts the edge cutter 124 in a retracted position. The edge cutter 124 is configured to retract along the actuating axis A-A′ perpendicular to the axis of rotation X-X′ of the drum 108, when not in use.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The edges of the paved road are cut and finished by the edge cutter mounted on the machine. During reversing of the machine, stress may be developed in the angularly positioned arm attached to the edge cutter. The stress caused in the arm may lead to a failure and/or damage of the edge cutter.

The edge cutter 124 disclosed herein provides a robust configuration having the actuator 212 positioned in vertical direction. The actuator 212 extends and retracts along the axis A-A′, such that the axis A-A′ is perpendicular to the axis of rotation X-X′ of the drum 108. The cutting unit 236 may move vertically up and down along the axis A-A′, based on the extended or retracted position of the actuator 212. This arrangement of the edge cutter 124 with respect to the drum 108 allows for the machine 100 to move in the forward and reverse directions such that reduced stress may be generated on components associated with the edge cutter 124. This may result in longer life of the edge cutter 124.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An edge cutter associated with a drum of a compactor, the edge cutter comprising: a back plate fixedly attached to a steering shaft of the drum; an actuator having a first end coupled to the back plate, wherein the actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft, the longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum; a bracket coupled to a second end of the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis; and a cutting unit having a rotating blade, the cutting unit coupled to the bracket, wherein the cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.
 2. The edge cutter of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a slot aligned along the actuating axis.
 3. The edge cutter of claim 2 further comprising: a restricting member fixedly attached to the back plate, the restricting member configured to be received within the slot of the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to move relative to the restricting member.
 4. The edge cutter of claim 1 further comprising: a spacer member provided between back plate and the bracket, the spacer member configured to move along with the bracket relative to the back plate.
 5. The edge cutter of claim 1 further comprising: a supporting member to couple the back plate to the steering shaft.
 6. The edge cutter of claim 5, wherein the back plate is connected to the steering shaft by a steering bracket.
 7. The edge cutter of claim 1 further comprises a coolant unit coupled to the back plate.
 8. An edge cutter associated with a drum of a compactor, the edge cutter comprising: a back plate attached to a steering shaft of the drum; an actuator having a first end coupled to the back plate, wherein the actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft, the longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum; and a bracket coupled to a second end of the actuator, the bracket having a slot, wherein the actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis; a restricting member fixedly attached to the back plate, the restricting member configured to be received within the slot of the bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to move relative to the restricting member; and a cutting unit having a rotating blade, the cutting unit coupled to the bracket, wherein the cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.
 9. The edge cutter of claim 8 further comprising: a spacer member provided between back plate and the bracket, the spacer member configured to move along with the bracket relative to the back plate.
 10. The edge cutter of claim 8 further comprising: a supporting member to couple the back plate to the steering shaft.
 11. The edge cutter of claim 10, wherein the back plate is connected to the steering shaft by a steering bracket.
 12. The edge cutter of claim 8 further comprising: a coolant unit coupled to the back plate.
 13. A compactor comprising: an engine; a frame; a drum coupled to the frame of the compactor, the drum having a steering shaft; and an edge cutter associated with the drum, the edge cutter comprising: a back plate fixedly attached to the steering shaft of the drum; an actuator having a first end coupled to the back plate, wherein the actuator is configured to extend or retract along an actuating axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft, the longitudinal axis is an axis of rotation of the drum; a bracket coupled to a second end of the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to move the bracket along the actuating axis; and a cutting unit having a rotating blade, the cutting unit coupled to the bracket, wherein the cutting unit is configured to move along with the bracket.
 14. The compactor of claim 13, wherein the bracket further comprises a slot aligned along the actuating axis.
 15. The compactor of claim 14 further comprising: a restricting member fixedly attached to the back plate, the restricting member configured to be received within the slot of the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to move relative to the restricting member.
 16. The compactor of claim 13 further comprising: a spacer member provided between back plate and the bracket, the spacer member configured to move along with the bracket relative to the back plate.
 17. The compactor of claim 13 further comprising: a supporting member to couple the back plate to the steering shaft.
 18. The compactor of claim 17, wherein the back plate is connected to the steering shaft by a steering bracket.
 19. The compactor of claim 13 further comprising: a coolant unit coupled to the back plate.
 20. The compactor of claim 13, wherein the actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder. 